Zach Behrens

So far, the threat of major mudslides remains just that. No large-scale evacuations have been ordered or mudslides have occurred. However, there have been some incidents here and there. Topanga Canyon Road, some five miles up from the coast, was shut down this morning due to a small rock slide, the Daily News reported. Sharp rocks flattened the tires of several cars. At 11 a.m., the road reopened.

Here's a curious e-mail from a reader. "Target is out of Christmas lights. ok..not totally out... but in the last 3 days..I have gone to the Target stores in Woodland Hills, Echo Park, Glendale, West Hollywood and Pasadena..and they have less than a dozen boxes of string Christmas lights and each store..(mostly blue lights). I have asked and been told that they will not be restocking before Christmas...so that's it." We checked in with...

The Arroyo Seco Branch The Los Angeles Public Library's latest art exhibit is an examination of itself. ”Tomorrow’s Libraries Today: Rebuilding the Los Angeles Public Library" takes a cue from Walt Whitman by celebrating itself. On display at the City Hall Bridge Gallery are artist renderings of libraries built in the 20-year branch re-construction program, which included nine new libraries in neighborhoods formally without them. This could be an architectural nerd's feast as the...

Stairs in Eagle Rock | Photo by stephenfalk via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr Walt Disney's grandson was arrested at his Woodland Hills home on Wednesday for illegal gun possession. California has a new State Assembly Speaker and he's making headlines because he's gay. Meet Mayor Villaraigosa's cousin, John Perez. Los Angeles could really use this good local politics show on KNBC. It's Fred Roggins' "The Filter." Watch a clip here. The future Hollywood...

Big news for vegans. Cruzer Pizza's Los Feliz location is going 100% vegan, Quarrygirl announced today. Apparently, once the current stock of cheese and meat product is sold out, the eatery will never purchase it again. "They offer huge fluffy and delicious pizzas covered in daiya cheese and mock meats like gardein," exclaimed an excited Quarrygirl. "And if you see the owner give them a kiss from me, because this is the best news...

Photo: wesfrazer/LAist Featured Photos When it rains, it gets dirty... and dangerous. Due to the current storm, the County Health Officer advises people to stay away from water in beach areas near discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers because bacteria, debris, trash, and other public health hazards from city streets and mountain areas are likely to enter ocean waters though these outlets. “Fortunately, discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers only comprise a small portion...

Filming of Superman Returns in Sydney, Australia | Photo by Soon. via Flickr With filming down, thus affecting the local economy, L.A. Councilmember Richard Alarcon this morning introduced a motion to explore the creation of a film commission. “Los Angeles needs an entity that can promote our city as a premiere filming destination and a Film Commission could do this as well promote the positive impacts of the industry to our communities," he said...

Our mention of Dr. Alex Benzer's list of 7 reasons while dating is tough in Los Angeles definitely struck a chord with readers. Mostly, people agreed with him. "Oh wow... that is true... dang..." twittered Austin Szu. "The same difficulties apply to spontaneous fun and making plans," noted an astute Mary Rice Schuyler, who we hope has no problems finding dates with quite possibly the sexiest Twitter profile photo out there.

In response to a LA Times story exposing the Expo Line's over budget and delayed light rail project between downtown and Culver City, the independent authority in charge of construction denies the facts, perhaps with some spin, maybe not. In a memo, the Authority explains that some "overruns" in the budget were actually added and approved "enhancements" (not too mention the "unforeseen work elements"). Some delays are being blamed on third parties like Caltrans,...

Good news for commuters. Metrolink's "board took no action on staff recommendations related to potential service cuts or fare increases" at today's meeting, according to an agency statement released this afternoon. Staff had recommended increasing fares, cutting 50 trains from its schedule or some combination thereof in order to balance the budget. Instead, a motion to "not impose a fare increase at this time and to initiate the FY 10-11 budget process in January"...

As the ongoing debate over how to regulate medical marijuana dispensaries in Los Angeles, the City Council this week was faced with a proposal to distance facilities from homes by 1,000 feet. With no visuals and data at hand to visualize the impact or lack therof, they asked the planning department to create a map. So far, one has not been produced, but Eric Richardson at blogdowntown played with a residential map of downtown...

Eun Kang, pregnant with twins, was killed Tuesday night in front of her Venice apartment. It was witnessed by her landlord from his window and he tells the LA Times today his horrible account: "'I saw him and she was screaming, 'Don't do that,'' he recalled Thursday. 'He was on top of her. . . . I didn't see if he had anything in his hands. I only saw his upper torso. I shouted...